"Modern" can be a tricky term because sometimes it’s used to describe something that’s the opposite of traditional, which varies depending on the time period. The decision of women in the 1920s to swap corsets for flapper dresses was modern at the time, but today those clothes are antiques.

Organic materials. Surfaces with a connection to the earth feel most at home in Asian-style kitchens. Consider woods, subdued stone or even butcher block. More contemporary materials, such as concrete or glass, have a place here as well, but be sure to balance them with natural ones so that the kitchen doesn’t feel cold or harsh.